Karl Henry has reacted to Joey Barton's comments – in which he called the Wolves midfielder an "idiot" and "inferior" – by branding the Queens Park Rangers and former Newcastle player "embarrassing".

Speaking to Sky Sports news, Henry said: " [During the match] Joey Barton was telling everyone he is on 80-grand a week as usual. That is him. He always does that during the game. Always. He riles a few people up when he says those things and tells everybody how great he is.

"It is just embarrassing really. If that is what he wants to do, he can carry on doing it but that is why a lot of people dislike him. He has tried to reinvent his image but it is probably the same old story.

"I know we had our battle last season. I don't want to keep going over it. But they were winning the match. There was no need for him to keep going on the way he does."

Barton was tackled badly by Henry towards the end of QPR's 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday and hit out at Henry after the game via his Twitter feed.

"I bet u Kelvin [sic] Henry feels like an idiot today. He should just keep his trap firmly shut. #sundayleagueplayer," he wrote before adding: "Wasn't happy another player tried to cause an injury when the game nearly over. Just cos he's inferior in every way #mug".

The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, has defended Henry after Barton's verbal attack on the midfielder.

"Karl is one of the best pros I've ever worked with in terms of his attitude and conscientiousness to his profession. He has earned himself the right to play in the Premier League by his guts and determination and made himself a better player.

"I've got nothing but admiration for him and never, ever, has he gone out to hurt anyone. In defence of my player, who has been with me for five years, I'd hang my hat on him all day long. He is a great guy."

In a recent interview with the Guardian, Henry said there was "no feud" with Barton.